On an impressive stage at the Estadio Metropolitano, both teams were focused at the start of the game where Moussa Diaby gave Bayer 04 an early lead with an impressive strike (9'). Atletico's Yannick Carrasco levelled on 22 minutes. Leverkusen remain committed in challenges and Callum Hudson-Odoi was able to restore the lead for the Werkself seven minutes later. After the restart, the hosts pressed for the equaliser and substitute Rodrigo de Paul found the back of the net on 50 minutes. There were chances for both sides in the rest of the game particularly through Atléti’s Antoine Griezmann while substitute Paulinho had two chances on the break for the Werkself. There was a curious incident after the final whistle: Following the intervention of VAR and viewing the video screen for a possible handball by Piero Hincapie, referee Clément Turpin pointed to the spot but Lukas Hradecky saved Carrasco's penalty. The game ended all square at 2-2. HERE is the match report.
Nadiem Amiri, who made his first start in the current campaign, summed up the game talking to Werkself TV after the match: "We had a very good first half and had chances to score more goals. Then there was massive pressure from Atlético in the second half. We found it difficult to play out from the back but were then able to stage several counter-attacks so we were able to get what we deserved." Amiri, who celebrates his 26th birthday today, added: "I'm over the moon, this performance was extremely important for our team spirit." Teammate Robert Andrich was also relieved: "We put in a shift off the ball. I'm glad Lukas made the last save."
Head coach Xabi Alonso saw the performance of his team as one "to build on." The 40-year-old described the match as intense, exciting and emotional: "Both teams played at a high level, we had to take a lot of pressure and we could have lost the game. But we could also have won with the chances on the break."
The Spanish coach is also clear about the last match in Group B and the possibility of going through to the UEFA Europa league: "Anything can happen in this balanced group and we'll fight right to the end."
Xabi Alonso had to manage without the injured players Sardar Azmoun, Charles Aránguiz and Kerem Demirbay against the Rojiblancos. There was good news that Florian Wirtz, Karim Bellarabi and Exequiel Palacios were at the match in Madrid. The trio worked at the Real Madrid training ground on Wednesday under the guidance of assistant coach Alberto Encinas together with teammates Daley Sinkgraven (not registered for the Champions League) and goalkeeper Niklas Lomb.
The headline in the Bild Zeitung read: "Penalty madness after final whistle." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger focused on Hradecky's penalty save and described it as "brilliant". Kicker and the Rheinische Post awarded top marks for the performance of the skipper. Kicker quoted the Finn as follows: "Perhaps it's a sign we are slowly becoming a team by getting through such difficult phases and not conceding in the end."
Lukas Hradecky made a total of nine saves. On top of that there was the penalty save after the final whistle. And the many intense challenges on both sides are reflected in the stats with both teams registering 50%.
The Simeone team had 23 shots on goal and scored twice with the Werkself it was 13 shots on goal. The Madrid side were on top in terms possession with 63% in the same applied to the pass completion rate: Atlético had 89%, the Black and Reds 79%.
Preparations have already started for the away game at RB Leipzig on Saturday 29 October (kick-off: 15.30 CEST) on Bundesliga matchday 12: The Werkself have a training session at the Real Madrid campus on Thursday morning before flying back to Leverkusen. Three days later comes the final group match in the UEFA Champions League. On Tuesday 1 November (kick-off: 18.45 CET), Club Brugge visit the BayArena. A victory for Bayer 04 (with the help of Porto against Atletico Madrid) would secure third place and qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Bayer 04 have named Jorginho, a 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, an official club legend. He is the second former Werkself player, after Paulo Sergio, to be accorded this special honour. For many years, the former Leverkusen defender has been deeply committed to helping people in need in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 25 years ago, Jorginho launched the Bola pra Frente project, through which he uses the money he earned as a player – including during his time at Bayer 04 – to support children and young people in the favelas in particular. During a trip to Brazil lasting several days, Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, assured Jorginho of the club’s support for Bola pra Frente for at least another five years.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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